Manage your subscription

Dial M for mystery

Published 17 September 2014

Amanda Gefter says every book and article she consulted gave the same answer to the question “What does the M in M-theory mean?”&colon; “nobody knows” (19 April, p 47). She finally tracks down Edward Witten, who reveals&colon; “the M stood for magic, mystery or membrane, according to taste” – as he did in my New Scientist article “Theory of Everything” (Instant Expert, 4 June 2011).

In the period between the superstring revolution of 1984 and the M-theory revolution of 1995, membranes were taboo. One string theorist announced that “I want to cover up my ears every time I hear …